Shifnal

There was a choice of two rides today, 'C' ride to Rodington and a 'B' ride to Shifnal. A leader for the Shifnal ride was required until Peter arrived, who just happened to have route in his back pocket.

Six of us set off for Shifnal via Uffington, Upton Magna, Walcot, Admaston, Preston on the Weald Moor, (where did that come from ?) the Humbers, Lilleshall, Sherrifhales and into Shifnal. Despite a weather forecast of heavy showers we arrived in fine sunshine and Sally took us to an excellent pub for lunch. Sally clearly has a nose for good pubs or she spends a lot of time pub crawling in the Shifnal area.

Unfortunately the rain came as we left the pub and we cycled through Kemberton, Brockton and down into Coalport before it let up. After a busy holiday period the gorge seemed quiet as we cycled into Ironbridge.

At Coalbrookdale Peter presented an option of two routes home, easy via Leighton and Cressage or the more difficult route through Coalbrookdale and up to Little Wenlock. I alone chose the Little Wenlock route but only so I could call on my wife who works as a guide at the Darby Houses, situated a little way up Sunnyside on the road up to Little Wenlock. If you have never visited the Darby Houses they are worth a visit and you can learn a little about the family that started the industrial revolution.

Having rested in Dale House I climbed up to Little Wenlock and as the clouds lifted I was rewarded with fine views over the South Shropshire hills and beyond Shrewsbury. After the climb out of Little Wenlock it was easy going, down past the site of the old Forest Glen, along side the Wrekin and back home to Cressage. Unfortunately rain returned the wrong side of Eaton Constantine and it was a wet downhill ride home.